Tories Cook up a storm
Monday, June 11, 2007

You all scoffed last week when I hinted the Conservatives might try and bring down the government over lack of movement on a new Welsh language act.

But with travel agent Thomas Cook appearing stubbornly monoglot in its unwillingness to embrace the Welsh language, the Tories made the first move.

They are calling for a review of the Welsh language act. You'll remember that Labour's legislative proposals stopped short of it, though it's a big deal in the proposed rainbow coalition programme for government.

Plaid have since chipped in with their own calls for increased Welsh language legislation. Well, they do everything together these days, don't they?

Labour's masterplan is to exclude the Conservatives from the consensus they have been seeking. They are trying to raise issues which isolate the Tories. But the men in blue are attempting quite the reverse and on today's form, seem to be having some success.

UPDATE:
Q: What's the worst thing you can do when you're embroiled in a storm about the Welsh language?

A: Put up a bi-lingual sign which butchers it.

Even Jade Goody would do a better job of public relations than that.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 3:22 pm, ,


Shafted!
Thursday, May 24, 2007


























It's no secret that the Lib Dems' six AMs don't get on. Now, they've got no friends in any of the other parties either. A week after resoundingly turning their back on Labour, they have dealt a similar blow to the prospect of a Plaid-led rainbow coalition.

This is, quite simply, bizarre. The very same personnel that voted last week to end negotiations with Labour have now chosen opposition over government. This is despite the fact that none of the three groups which made up last night's meeting actually voted against a rainbow coalition.

The negotiating team and the AMs both voted in favour, but the national executive was a dead heat. Without a majority in all three groups, the Lib Dems could not authorise a special conference. In the end, the deal which promised to revolutionise the way politics is conducted in Wales has been scuppered by just one unelected officer on an internal Lib Dem council.

The consequences are enormous. Not only is Mike German's leadership now under severe threat but people will be left wondering, a la Simon Jenkins, what on earth are the Lib Dems for?

They've turned their noses up at the offer of PR in local government, which is the one big thing that set them apart. Now, it seems, they'd rather snipe from the sidelines than implement their own policies. No doubt we'll be hearing very soon what was lined up in the coalition document. It is certain, however, to make their election promise of maximum votes for maximum Lib Dem policies completely redundant.

On hospital reconfiguration, reducing class sizes and making the green switch they've turned down the chance to have it their own way.

Peter Black tells me that "in the end the party did not have the stomach for coalition." The rationale is that they can reinvent in opposition. But it is going to be stupendously difficult.

Because whatever government eventually takes power in Cardiff Bay, the Lib Dems will be coalition partners by proxy. By bailing out, they've left few alternatives and very little time. The government's mistakes will be the Lib Dems' mistakes because they engineered the circumstances which put them there.

They are, quite frankly, knee deep in it. To be an effective opposition, you must be free to criticise the government. But every time the Lib Dems open their mouths, the other parties will be quick to remind them that they had their chance and blew it.

Yesterday afternoon, the rainbow coalition document came back from its civil service going over - as if a sign was needed about how advanced the process had become.

The Plaid-Labour document, by contrast, never made it out of Helen Mary Jones' handbag. By committing to the rainbow route, Ieuan was obviously keen to shed his wobble. But had he adopted the more cautious approach of the 'feisty foursome' the next few hours might not be such a scramble.

It seems pretty clear that a Plaid-Tory deal is a non-starter. I put this to Nick Bourne on Tuesday and he laughed it off.

So, Plaid and Labour are left with barely 48 hours to cobble together a programme of government for Wales. And thanks to Labour, there's a 28-page document sitting there ready to go. Who knows, the politicians might finally find something to agree about.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 2:51 am, ,


Job vacant: Leader, Welsh Labour
Monday, May 21, 2007

Perhaps not quite yet. But soon.

A new administration in Cardiff Bay will need a new opposition. Why should Rhodri hang around for two years to size up against a government he'll never face in an election. Why should Labour AMs let him?

All the signs are that they won't. And Carwyn Jones' status as Leader in waiting has never looked more precarious. He's considered to be far too chummy with the nationalists to provide the bite Labour would require in opposition.

So who might it be then - Jane Davidson, Andrew Davies, Edwina Hart? Or does someone else have their eyes on the prize? Let's see...

Who was straight out of the blocks, doing the tricky interviews in the immediate aftermath of the election?

Who was calling for the Labour party to reflect and change?

Who was quoted in the Western Mail alongside the 'leaked' draft document that Labour proposed, rubbishing it before it got to the table?

Who hates the Tories almost as much as he hates Plaid Cymru?

Huw He would be perfect, wouldn't he?


.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 12:27 am, ,


'Pre-approved and ready to go!'
Tuesday, May 01, 2007

A moment of excitement at the end of ITV's Wales Decides. Never mind the fact that half the audience are from a wind farm pressure group. Rhodri Morgan has let the cat out of the bag: Labour are already working with Peter Hain's Welsh Office on implementing their manifesto pledges for the 2007-11 assembly term. Peter Hain, of course, has to approve all the new assembly measures before they can become law. But right at the end of the show, Rhodri let slip that Labour's proposals are 'pre-approved and ready to go'.

That's funny, I was under the impression that political parties needed a mandate from the electorate before they could start the business of government. Can Labour really be so sure of a majority that they can begin their legislative programme before a single vote has even been cast?

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posted by Blamerbell @ 12:03 am, ,


Labour candidate concedes defeat, four days early
Monday, April 30, 2007

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it still the official Labour line to say 'we are the only party who can form a majority government'? That's certainly what Rhodri Morgan was banging on about during the leaders debate last night. In fact, I seem to recall him saying it was 'arrogant' of Ieuan Wyn Jones to suggest otherwise.

If that is the case, why is Labour's number one candidate on the North Wales regional list predicting they will fall four seats short of a majority?

Writing for the New Statesman online, Ken Skates says: "My forecast is that Labour in Wales will not do as badly as the national polls suggest. We’ll fall to 27 (down two) whereas the Tories will gain a handful."

And it gets worse. Those who follow the party line have no choice but to predict an increase in the Labour vote, since that's the only way they could possibly claw back a majority in the Senedd. Not so Mr Skates, who says "I reckon Carl Sargeant will be the only Labour AM to increase both the size and proportion of Labour’s vote."

Ken has clearly been thinking too much about his own political fortunes. As a list candidate he stands more chance of getting elected if Labour perform poorly in the constituencies. Still, as I'm sure the party's press people would be the first to tell him: you're not supposed to admit that just four days before an election!

UPDATE: After this story somehow came to the attention of the wider Welsh political community, Labour's press people apparently got in touch with Mr Skates and he in turn asked the New Statesman to remove his comments. It's now the top story on New Statesman online.

May 2 UPDATE: This story is now in the Western Mail. Labour are accused of 'control freakery' and refuse to comment.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 4:42 pm, ,


Honest John: Huw Lewis defends his corner
Thursday, April 19, 2007

Huw Lewis is Labour's assembly member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney. He has a hefty majority and ambition to match. As a politician loyal to the Blair agenda, he'll be monitoring developments in the Labour party closely as Rhodri Morgan's tenure as leader comes to an end. I'll keep the introduction short because the questions and answers are plentiful...

Would you be prepared to PUBLICLY have your fingerprints and DNA taken for your new ID Card, before the election? (ianp)
It would be a pretty boring thing to do PUBLICLY. I remain to be convinced about the need for ID cards, and would want some firmer guarantees about cost before committing one way or the other. But if your implication is that I have a criminal past, I have no fears there!

Where in your opinion does the clear red water lie within your manifesto and London Labour's? (Marcus Warner)
I don't think we should get too hung about the idea of "clear, red water", we should never look to do things differently for the sake of it - but only when it makes sense to our set of circumstances in Wales. There are a number of issues like the Mobile Mammas childcare scheme and like the Welsh baby bond dividend which I have been lobbying for - that show we will go our on way when it makes sense to do so.

Are alcoholism and drug dependency offences that should be punishable or illnesses that should be cured? (Sion Gwilym)
Clearly there is a difference to be drawn between alcohol consumption and drug use - one is legal - the other is not. However, addiction to either is incredibly damaging for the individual and can tear families apart - you need a balanced approach, treatment for the individual, but punishment for drug peddlers. I would be happy to see a grown up conversation between all parties after May about our approach to drug dependency and treatment.

There's a housing crisis in many parts of Wales. What would you do to redress it or are market forces above all other considerations? (der)
I think building more affordable housing is the key - and I'm glad to see some innovative solutions being introduced in Wales to that end.

What is your favourite album of all time? (Marcus Warner)
Astral Weeks, Van Morrison.

Can you tell me where you stand on the following issues. (che gra-vara)
1. The decision to go to war in Iraq
I supported the war in Iraq - and rather than rehearse all the same arguments again, I would point people to the recent book from Observer writer, Nick Cohen, on the subject which runs through in great detail the social progressive's case for war. However, I would also say that much of the handling of post-War Iraq, has been disastrous. Not least the American decision to send home the entire Iraqi army.
2. The decision to renew Trident
I think it will be some time before Assembly Members have a decision to make on this, but I backed the decision to renew Trident. Aside from the arguments on deterrent, consider the hard nosed rules of foreign policy. Those who argue on one side that the USA dictates too much on foreign affairs, then want us to disband our armed forces and downgrade our deterrent don't understand how the world works.
3. Cuts to PCS jobs
I don't think any party is arguing against the notion of reorganising the civil service, if it means we can spend more on front line services. Or are they? What I would say, as I did in the Assembly debate on the matter, let's look at this in the round - we don't want to be shifting HMRC jobs from the Valleys to Cardiff for example.

What have you done as a party or an individual to help engage young people in politics? (Marcus Warner)
On a personal level I engage very closely with all the schools in Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney and we get as many kids down to the Assembly as possible.

What would you do for places like Pontypridd and Blaenavon which are being used by the Utility companies as training grounds? Most streets in both villages have in excess of 400 dig patches each per street. (ianp)
I'm sure they are not digging up the streets for the fun of it. I'd rather have some temporary roadworks than a gas explosion to deal with - but I'm quirky like that. Blaenavon has received massive grants from the Assembly and associated bodies to develop the fabric of the town, and links to the World Heritage Site. Ponty is also benefiting from huge investment in both roads and rail.

You've identified yourself with the child poverty initiative, hoping doubtless to garner much profile. Please tell why, given that Labour has just admitted it's failed its own Child poverty target this time around, we should believe you this time? Is that why you've been a little silent lately... ? (Dave Rodway)
Child poverty under the Tories - up by 100,000 a year. Child Poverty under Labour - down by (rough average) 60,000 a year. Plaid Cymru say Independence first. Take your pick.

Who is your political hero and why? (Marcus Warner)
Clement Attlee - everyone knows why, or doesn't know enough history.

Do you believe that the Welsh language should be given official status in Wales? Do you believe that the people of Wales should have the Right to Services in Welsh? Do you believe that the people of Wales should have the right to work through the medium of Welsh? (hedd)
As far as is practical, everyone in Wales should be able to communicate in whichever language they choose in their day-to-day life. But, whichever way you cut it, 80% of people in Wales can't speak Welsh - are you suggesting that we select our future workforce only from the 20% who can?

You mention "services" - does that include business? I would be in favour of businesses, where they can, offering support for workers to take Welsh lessons. I don't favour compulsion on the Welsh language, and I think I'm right in saying that the Welsh Language Board doesn't either. I'm nervous about a rights based approach - but that doesn't mean I'm somehow against the language, I just wish my own attempts at learning had gone better!

What are you going to do to encourage a more comprehensive coverage of Welsh politics in the media? (sanddef)
Am I allowed to agree with Jonathan Morgan? It is not up to us to dictate to the Welsh media what they cover and what they don't. I do think it is a shame that we in Wales don't reap more benefits of having a world class School of Journalism in Cardiff - but perhaps that will come with time.

How would you like to see the assembly develop in the future? (der)
I'm excited about the post-May Assembly. I think we will end up with a much more democratic system, with individual AMs, subject committees - and the public (through a Petitions Committee) - having a say on new legislation in addition to the party or parties of Government. In short - we are facing big changes, let's see how they go before thinking about further development.

How may of the 500 jobs you claimed when the assembly came to Merthyr were real jobs? - ie how many people moved up with the assembly and how may jobs were filled from Merthyr when they arrived *and what other than cleaning jobs were they)? Also, why did you move your family out of the valleys? (valleys mam)
They are all "real jobs", but they are jobs that have moved with the department of Social Justice. Nobody, least of all me, claimed these were 500 new jobs for people in Merthyr - I can send you a copy of the piece I did for the Merthyr Express on this if you don't believe me. But don't be so short-sighted. What kind of impact on the local economy are 500 extra workers going to have? With staff turnover, there will be plenty of opportunities for local people to get work in the new offices - I think, roughly 50 local people already have jobs there. This will be a permanent local employer for people in Merthyr that simply wasn't there before.

And I haven't moved my family out of the Valleys.

Blimey. That was a session. Huw had by far the most questions to answer of all our brave politicians. So what's the verdict? Is it more Mother Teresa than Jeffery Archer? You decide.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 5:15 pm, ,


Barrett's blast from the past
Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Oh for the glory days. Nostalgia is all around us at the moment, from high street fashion to something called Life on Mars (haven't seen it, why bother when Desperate Housewives is still going strong?).

Never one to be left out of the latest fad, Labour's Cardiff South and Penarth candidate Lorraine Barrett has setup a 90s nostalgia website. It's a world where the assembly is still housed in that horrid brick building, and Alun Michael is First Minister. I know Labour are intending to stand on their record at this assembly election, but isn't that going a little too far?

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posted by Blamerbell @ 10:25 pm, ,


Welsh Labour Manifesto in 12 Words
Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Ban stuff.

Children.

Free stuff.

Pensioners.

Mobile Mammas (??).

More of the same.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 9:28 am, ,


Poll says Labour set for assembly election losses
Thursday, April 05, 2007

Polls aren't easy to come by in Welsh politics, so when they happen we all sit up and take note.

For geeks like me, this was the most eagerly awaited edition of ITV's Wales Tonight for a long time. And it began with the revelation that time had skipped forward 24 hours, 'Welcome to Friday's Wales Tonight' grinned the presenters.

Back in the real world where Thursday succeeds Wednesday and precedes Friday, today's poll from ITV Wales/NOP does nothing to change the general impression that Labour are going to struggle in the forthcoming assembly elections. Meanwhile, Plaid aren't seeing the boost they think their new professional operation warrants and the Lib Dems may make small gains. The Tories will be happiest this evening, as their percentage of the vote is predicted to increase quite heftily in both the constituency and regional ballot. The results in full:

Constituency %
Labour 36 (-4)
Plaid 20 (-1)
Con 23 (+3)
Lib Dem 15 (+1)
Others 6

Regional %
Labour 35 (-2)
Plaid 20 (=)
Con 24 (+5)
Lib Dem 15 (+2)
Others 5

ITV Wales optimistically translated this into seats, with Labour losing four and the Tories gaining three. This election, however, is so finely balanced that these predictions are impossible to make. Constituency seats depend on a handful of votes in a few key marginals. These in turn have an enormous impact on the distribution of the regional seats.

Conclusion: bad news for Labour but the other parties should look at these results with a huge pinch of salt.

UPDATE: With Labour keeping schtum on their manifesto until Tuesday, it was with great interest that I listened to Jane Hutt on ITV's Wales Decides earlier tonight. Given 30 seconds to sum up why people should vote for her party in May's election she said Labour would be fighting this election on its record in government: 'we will keep free prescriptions, keep free bus passes, keep free swimming pools...' Not a single policy proposal. Not a single pledge. One begins to wonder if they'll bother to publish a manifesto at all when an homage to Rhodri Morgan would happily suffice:)

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posted by Blamerbell @ 6:12 pm, ,


Betsan, bits and blogs
Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Labour are busy trying to kill the hospital 'closure' story today. But they seem to be attacking it with a toothpick rather than a sledge hammer. See below for more on that.

In the meantime, they’ve also launched their new campaign website, complete with blogtributions from Alun Davies (Mid & West Wales) and Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham). Alun has had a four month break from blogging to sharpen his canines, let’s hope he picks up where he left off.

As for the rest of the site, 'New Labour = No Choice' seems to be the message. Click on the page titled ‘The Choice’ and you get this: "Oh no! You're looking for something which just isn't here!" Probably just a bug, but it sums up pretty well what Labour seem to think about their political opponents:)

Meanwhile Betsan is blogging. But while the speccy (and at least erring on the side of geeky) Nick Robinson and David Cornock get to hide behind cartoon mock-ups, Betsan’s smiling face appears in amazing technicolor. So far she’s explained what a blog is (good start) and even experimented with an element of humour. I’m slightly confused by the latest post, though: "Wayne, the darts champ and I hope to bring some clarity to the way we elect our Assembly Members." I suspect you need to have watched Wales Today to get that one, unless Betsan is planning to be the Welsh blogosphere’s first surrealist.

And finally, a tip off from Left Field: somebody tell the Welsh Green Party that the Assembly has moved.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 2:31 pm, ,


It's a landslide for Plaid Cymru
Saturday, March 31, 2007

If elections were won and lost on takeup of the social networking website Facebook, then Plaid would be the clear leaders. There are so far 144 members in the Plaid Cymru group and 38 members in its unofficial sister club. The Welsh Liberal Democrats muster only 28 members. But that's still 28 members more than Labour and the Conservatives, who don't seem to have joined the revolution yet.

And it's probably a good thing too. Facebook is for writing crap banter on your mates' walls. It's for stalking attractive women in American colleges. And it's for posting embarrassing photos of drunken misdemeanours.

Why is it that politicians have to come along with their fake hobbies and youth oriented soundbites to spoil it all?

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posted by Blamerbell @ 9:50 am, ,


Peter Hain: assembly election candidate
Friday, March 02, 2007

Well, not quite. I've seen the list of Labour candidates and his name isn't on it. But if he were to stand, and if he won the Labour leadership in the assembly, he'd be entitled to 'rule out' a coalition with Plaid Cymru.

That's what he did yesterday in the House of Commons in his position as member of parliament for Neath and Secretary of State for Wales. Eh?

Has he consulted with Rhodri Morgan? Is this the official Labour party line in Wales? "I don't think there is going to be much of an appetite for it," is all the First Minister's spokeswoman would say, leaving the coalition door ajar.

But hang on. If it's been 'ruled out' then the First Minister's hands are tied: a 'can't do politician' if ever there was one.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 7:16 am, ,


New Labour, New Media, Old Arguments
Thursday, March 01, 2007

The Tories are 'too offensive for TV'. That's what Labour are saying by launching a savage attack on the Tories exclusively on YouTube (follow this link to see the video).

The ad reminds voters of the 'failures' of the Tory years and features such popular politicians as John Redwood, Margaret Thatcher and Edwina Curry**.

Of course, attacking another party's record in government is nothing new, even if we are now looking back a generation. But putting it up online is a fresh American-style development for Welsh politics.

Will the Tories now respond? After all, there's plenty of Rhodri Morgan gaffes to choose from, although THIS video has already been doing the rounds.

So much for positive politics.

**See comments for clarification.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 10:53 am, ,


Labour surges ahead in opinion poll
Monday, February 26, 2007

Problem is it's the New South Wales Labour party, not the South Wales New Labour Party.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 8:19 pm, ,


66 more days of handbags

The gloves are off, because as all good politicians know you can't sling mud if your hands are tied up.

So much for parties putting forward a positive future vision for Wales at this election. Labour spent their conference slagging off the Tories and inadvertently drawing attention to David Cameron's current popularity. Plaid kicked out at Labour, and the Tories, in turn, volleyed a few missiles back towards Rhodri Morgan.

Nobody really bothered to attack the Lib Dems, so Peter Black stepped up to attack Plaid for attacking Labour.

Meanwhile, the Lib Dems claim they are whiter than white (or goldener than gold), but Alun Cairns reminds us that they fought the 2003 campaign on a misfiring 'Kick the Tories out' platform.

Soon, the twisting of facts and figures will go into overdrive, leaving voters disillusioned and confused. I've already received promotional literature from the Lib Dems asserting that Plaid 'betrayed students' and 'caved in' to help Labour 'sell out our students' over the assembly budget. Of course, Plaid would put it somewhat differently.

So, what's the answer? I'm afraid there isn't one. Negative politics is a cornerstone of modern electioneering. But parties should face up to it and stop claiming to be virtuous on the one hand while swinging the handbag with the other.

UPDATE: Apologies if you've seen a strange piece appear here about Nick Bourne. It's now deleted. The perils of using Google Reader...

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posted by Blamerbell @ 10:55 am, ,


Blair factor sinks Labour conference
Saturday, February 24, 2007

Tony Blair is renowned for his ability to rattle off speeches he's just seen as if they are a subject dear to his heart. We're often told he's one of the most convincing speakers ever to have graced the UK political stage. Some even blame our presence in Iraq on the prime minister's unique ability to orate.

So it was all the more surprising, therefore, that Tony Blair sounded completely unconvincing in his speech to the Welsh Labour conference yesterday. Full of umms and stutters and nervous glances back at the script, Blair sounded like a man talking about something he knows next to nothing about. That's because Welsh politics is about as important to the prime minister as remembering to buy loo roll: someone is usually around to take care of it on his behalf.

Yesterday's performance will do little to enhance Labour's electoral chances. It sounded like the speech of a man with his mind on other things. But as long as he sticks around those other things - Iraq, nuclear power, cash for peerages - might themselves have an impact on the Welsh election race.

Rhodri Morgan wants him out; yesterday you could almost see why.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 12:12 am, ,


Whose rainbow is it anyway?
Friday, February 23, 2007

Just when it seemed that leprechauns and pots of golds were more plausible ideas than a rainbow coalition in the national assembly, it's popped back into the realm of the possible.

That's because Elfyn Llwyd, Plaid Cymru's leader in Westminster, re-ignited the possibility of a coalition with the Tories at the precise moment he was shoved on the BBC's Dragon's Eye programme in order to rule it out.

Plaid were threatening to sue Labour for continually suggesting they might serve in a Tory-led administration after the election on May 3rd. That, they claim, is a lie: 'We will never serve under a Conservative First Minister'.

But what about a Plaid-led rainbow coalition?

'We are keeping our options open,' was the reply.

So as long as Plaid are the senior partner, the suggestion is that a rainbow coalition is still on the cards. Mixed news, then, for Nick Bourne who'll wonder what he's done to be so emphatically ruled out as a possible successor to Rhodri Morgan.

But what if the Conservatives win more seats than Plaid - do they not have the right to expect senior status in a coalition? What is Plaid Cymru's rationale for saying a coalition is an option only if they are in charge?

It seems that Plaid have taken the sting out of this issue only to then stick it in their eye. As it stands, the Conservatives can hang on to their hope of a pot of gold after May 3rd and Labour can still say 'Vote Plaid get Tory' with at least some justification. There's life in the old rainbow yet.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 9:00 am, ,


Five issues Labour can't duck
Wednesday, February 21, 2007

The countdown to the Welsh assembly elections begins in earnest today as Labour meet in Llandudno for their spring conference. Here are five issues they'll have to address if those elections and their aftermath aren't to be an unmitigated disaster:

1. Worst case scenario

Will Rhodri Morgan resign if Labour net only 24 seats? And who will replace him?

2. National Health Shambles

Already committed to a controversial long-term plan and with little new money, how can Labour rescue the health service?

3. Enemy No.1

Election strategy: this week they've been painting it as a straight race with the Tories. But is it wise to overlook Plaid? Attacking the Tories might serve only to motivate their vote, while voters on the left float over to Plaid.

4. "Noises off" getting louder

Rhodri Morgan would rather Tony Blair kept his nose out of the Welsh assembly campaign. But guess who's making an appearance at the conference on Friday? Can Welsh Labour avoid being affected by the scandal and fatigue of the Westminster administration?

5. Said and not done

How can Labour convince people to believe their election promises after the debacle over the 2003 pledge to provide free personal care?

Please feel free to add your own Labour conundrums in the comments section.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 3:53 pm, ,


Gibbons: NHS needs more managers

What's the best way to deal with the crumbling NHS in Wales?

Could it be employing more front-line staff? Supplying more beds? Investing in better equipment and training staff to use it? Providing patients with drugs and treatment they currently have to travel miles to receive?

No. Top of Health Minister Brian Gibbons' wish list is another tier of managers:

"We will be changing the structure of the health service in south-east Wales with more managers being employed and staff being used more effectively.

"Managers are being interviewed this week and we are hoping to get the right people into the right jobs."

Dr Gibbons also warned that it would take time to sort out deep-rooted problems in the NHS. After ten years of Labour government, patients waiting eleven hours in A&E or being driven there in a fire truck may wonder if employing yet more managers is the best solution.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 3:36 pm, ,


Welsh politicians unclear on nuclear
Tuesday, February 20, 2007

The nuclear issue is back. Much to the prime minister's annoyance he couldn't simply go ahead with a nuclear project which might leave future generations with a profound legacy of toxic waste: he's been told he has to actually consult with interested parties first.

So, what does this mean for Wales? Well, it means Welsh Labour are at odds with the UK government. The Environment Minister Carwyn Jones would prefer to cover Wales in wind farms.

The Tories appear to be pro-nuclear and despite remaining unconvinced about the waste issue Glyn Davies, chair of the assembly's environment committee, would rather see a new nuclear power station than a severn barrage. They seem to think that nuclear is perfectly green, but not green enough to feature as an energy solution along with biomass, tidal, and solar power in their vote blue go green pledge. Does 'vote blue go toxic' not have the same ring?

The Lib Dems are characteristically anti-nuclear, but Plaid Cymru are moving in different directions. Their policy is to pretend to be opposed to nuclear power while their leader is actually in favour. 'Plaid Cymru does not support nuclear power,' says the latest policy document. But Ieuan Wyn Jones supports extending the life of the nuclear power plant in his own back yard.

A decision on the future of nuclear power is likely to be made very soon. If the Lib Dems play it right they could embarrass the other parties, who each have their own contradictions on this issue. With Tony Blair and his likely successor both very much in favour it may not make much difference, but if the Lib Dems fail to command the political high ground on this they really do deserve to be hung out to dry. As they keep reminding us, Wales isn't short of high windy spots for them to do so.

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posted by Blamerbell @ 7:30 am, ,